In Pics: Detroit's Mile-long Highway Accident

Blinding snow squalls, high winds and a slick highway led to a mile-long
series of crashes in Detroit that left at least three people dead,
including two children, and 20 more injured.

Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw said visibility was extremely
poor when the mass of crashes happened on Interstate 75 on the southwest
side of the city.

SUVs with smashed front ends and cars with doors hanging open sat
scattered across the debris-littered highway, some crunched against
jackknifed tractor-trailers and tankers. Rescue crews went vehicle to
vehicle in the search for survivors and to provide aid.

Motorists and passengers who were able to climb out of their vehicles
huddled together on the side of the road, some visibly distraught,
others looking dazed. A man and woman hugged under the gray,
cloud-filled skies, a pair of suitcases next to them and a bumper on the
ground behind.

Conditions went from "clear to total whiteout in a matter of seconds," Shaw said. "All of a sudden, they couldn't see anymore."

About 30 vehicles were involved in the pileups and scores more were trapped on the freeway behind the accident scene for hours.

The crash happened near an elevated stretch of expressway where the road surface can cool quickly and make driving hazardous.

A section of multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 75 is shown in Detroit.

A section of multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 75 is shown in Detroit.

A section of multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 75 is shown in Detroit.